Tamo De Trigo

The Tamo de Trigo was brought about by the Spanish colonization of Latin America. Upon their arrival, they were quick to promote the cultivation of wheat and share their woodworking tools with mestizos and indigenous peoples. The tradition of using these golden fibers to decorate functional pieces is kept alive by artisans in the Pasto, Nariño region.

The Tamo de Trigo is a dry, golden wheat plant that is opened up and glued onto a flat surface by artisans. Once it is completely flat on a sheet, it is cut with an Exacto knife in the desired shape of the material. It is generally used to decorate the surface of wood or ceramics, and its methodology consists of a collaboration of many hands.